Rich Kitchens

Rich Kitchens
Basketball Coach

Kitchens contributed to Highlander Athletics in multiple ways over his 34-year career at PHS. First as a basketball coach, then as Athletic Director and finally as Principal.

He coached 20 years of basketball at various levels including 14 seasons as a head coach. He was the JV boys head coach from 1979-1982 and the Varsity head coach for 10 years (1982-1992). From 1982-1986 PHS won five straight Alameda County Athletic League (ACAL) Championships under the direction of Coach Kitchens. During his tenure, Kitchens coached four Hall of Fame members: Chris Roberts, Jim Stehr, Michael Stehr and Rich Watts.

He served as Athletic Director for three years while still fulfilling his full-time teaching duties. As Principal he supported all PHS sports teams at both home and away games and was always easy to recognize with his trademark hat. He also served on the Piedmont Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors and multiple Nomination Committees.

He currently is the director of the “Constitutional Law Education Project” and author of Constitutional Law, a high school textbook used in 10 states. He retired from PHS in 2013.

Neil Rothenberg

Neil Rothenberg
Tennis Coach 2001-2015

Rothenberg coached PHS tennis for 15 years (2001-2015) becoming the winningest coach in PHS sports history. His overall varsity match record stands at an impressive 501-103-4. He began as the JV girls coach in 2001 and 2002. In 2003 he moved to the Varsity girls head coach and stayed through the 2015 season. When the boys Varsity program needed a coach in 2004, he accepted that position as well. From 2004 through 2014 he was the head coach for both programs.

Under his guidance both Piedmont Tennis programs became dominant teams in the very competitive North Coast Section (NCS) of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). The boys program was League Champions every year from 2004-2014. They went undefeated from 2004-2012 and 2014 and lost just one match in 2013.

The girls program was undefeated League Champions 13 consecutive years from 2003-2015. In addition, he coached the boys and girls programs in 11 NCS Championship finals. Under Rothenberg’s direction, the PHS boys were 6-time NCS finalists and won 3 NCS titles. PHS girls tennis won three NCS titles (2013, 2014 and 2015) and were finalists in 2011 and 2012. He coached several NCS singles and doubles champions including Kaelli Thiel (2014-15), Jon and Matt Wang (2011-12), Matt Wang and Daniel Cooper (2013), Ashley Shuster and Aubrey Douglass (2011-12).

Rothenberg was selected as NCS Honor Coach for Women’s Tennis in 2007 and for Men’s Tennis in 2011.

Aileen Finney

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Aileen Finney
PHS Class of 1980 

Ms. Finney's tenure as the Piedmont Water Polo coach spans 18 seasons over a 20-year period. Prior to coaching, she played on the Cal Womens water polo team (2 times Nadonal Champions) as well as on the USA Women's National Team. In 1995, she launched the PHS Girls Water Polo program and alone managed both the Varsity and JV programs until 2008. In 1991 and 1999, she single-handedly coached all water polo teams (Girls Varsity, Girls JV, Boys Varsity and Boys JV). After a two-year break, she returned to coach the Varsity Team from 2010 - 2014.

In total, Finney coached over 500 games (378 varsity girls' games). Her teams were 5 time ACCAL/WACC Girls' League Champions with 12 appearances in the North Coast Section Championship Tournament. In 2002, Finney was selected as the North Coast Section Honor Coach of the Year/Water Polo. She was the first Piedmont coach honored and the first female water polo coach selected. In 2012, she was the WACC Coach of the Year. Finney served on the North Coast Section Sports Advisory Committee from 2001-2006.  

Beginning in 1996, after noticing a need for a girls water polo program in the East Bay, Finney organized the competitive Oakland Water Polo Club. The ongoing legacy of Finney's coaching is exemplified by 28 of her former players who have played or, are playing, in college. Finney taught her teams the importance of winning with dignity, playing with passion and respect for the game. Finney currently teaches 4th grade at Havens Elementary School.

Mike Humphries

Mike Humphries 
Coach & Athletic Director 1969-2004

Mr. Humphries taught in the Piedmont Unified School District for 45 years. During that time he served at the elementary school, middle school, and high school levels. He coached Frosh Football for 43 years. Baseball for 33 years, and Frosh Basketball for 6 years. He served as the Athletic Director at PHS for 25 years. He was honored by the community when the PHS Baseball Field was named "Coach Humphries Diamond." He thoroughly enjoyed every minute of teaching wonderful students, parents, teachers, fellow coaches, and administrators in PUSD.

Photo Gallery

Jimmy Hole

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Jimmy Hole
Coach 1936-1948

Co-Head Coach with Brick Johnson on the great teams of 1940,1941 and 1942, all undefeated, Coach Hole was credited with running the offense of those teams. Coach Hole came from Berkeley High where in 1924 he was named High School Coach of the Year for football and basketball. He joined Brick as an assistant coach in 1936, and took over as head man in 1937 when Brick took a year to coach in Hawaii. Hole was appointed Co-Coach when Brick returned from Hawaii. He left Piedmont in 1948.

William “Binks” Rawlings

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William “Binks” Rawlings
Teacher & Coach 1925-1934

Glenn "Brick" Johnson

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Glenn "Brick" Johnson
Coach & Athletic Director (1930-1960)

Coach Johnson was one outstanding football and track coach. He was the varsity football coach at Piedmont High School from 1930 to 1949, won many ACAL and FAL championships, and established a 36-0 record during the 1938-1941 seasons. He was also a teacher from 1930 to 1960. In 1942, Brick was awarded the California High School Coach of the Year honor. During his tenure, Piedmont High School was known as a consistent power in northern California.

He also coached the Piedmont High School varsity track team; winning several ACAL and FAL league championships, and helped develop many outstanding track and field athletes. He also established cross-country as a sport in the ACAL and the entire East Bay area. As a physical education instructor, he developed a strong, well-rounded program with minimum facilities, and then installed a boxing program, physical testing program, and a wonderful rainy day program. He held the positions of Department Chairman and Athletic Director.

Johnson was a veteran of both World War I and II, and was a lightweight boxing champion in the U.S. Navy during WW I. Brick lived in Piedmont with his wife and two children and was very active in the community. Helped establish chess in the physical education department. He was also an active kayaker and founded the Bag Pipe Band at Piedmont High School. Brick Johnson's name is synonymous with athletic excellence at Piedmont High School. His leadership skills and compassion make him fondly remembered by all that he touched during his time at PHS.

Robert "Bob" Muenter

Robert "Bob" Muenter
Coach & Athletic Director (1949-1983)

It has been said that Bob Muenter's life and his teams are synonymous with Piedmont High School's athletic prowess. He joined the staff in 1949 and retired in 1983 after coaching varsity football, baseball and swimming. He served as an assistant coach for track and field, "B" basketball and golf teams. In addition, he was also a Physical Education instructor, department chairman and athletic director during his career at Piedmont.

His teams won football championships in 1959, 1960, 1965 and 1972. Bob won individual honors as a Co-Coach of the East-West High School All-Star football game and served as an advisory coach for the Cerebral Palsy Alameda-Contra Costa game for 26 years. Bob has been recognized for a number of awards including the East Bay Coach of the Year on two occasions, the Joe Verducci Award for Northern California, the Pepsi Coach of the Year Award for Northern California and named to the University of the Pacific Hall of Fame.

The players on his 1952-1972 teams have also recognized Bob. Known as "Muenter's Boys", they have met for get-aways in Sea Ranch, hosted an annual golf tournaments and dinners to honor Coach Muenter and reminisced over old game films for years.

Archive of photos from Coach Muenter’s great career.

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About This Iconic Photo:

It was our last game of the season, homecoming, and a hard fought battle. We were up 7 to 6 with a few minutes to play. We had stop Acalanes  and I thought we were going to win. They lined up for a field goal, and made it. In our time field goals were a last ditch effort.  I think most of us were still in some what of shock. Coach called us all over to the sidelines, grabbed the mike, and asked the stands to stay and listen.  He thanked the fans for their support, and then announced that it was the last time that #22 would be worn.  It was a bitter-sweet moment in time for all of us. In the locker room after the game he talked to us and said how proud he was of our effort throughout the season. That was the kind of man he was. He taught us not to gloat after a win, and if you gave it your all, not hang your head after a loss.
   
With regards,
Doug Duncan
PSHOF Inductee